Business ideas · Makers & creative studios

Studios for
makers & creatives

Artists, makers and content creators need a space they can leave set up. Our units give you a private studio with lighting, electricity and Wi-Fi already connected, 24-hour access and room to welcome clients.

By The Rock Factory, Blackpool · Updated October 2026

Ask if your business suits a unit Units and prices

Ideas and how to set them up

Picture framing

A mitre saw or guillotine, an underpinner and mount cutter, with vertical racks for moulding lengths, mount board and glass.

Best unit: 150 sq ft · roller shutter · £65 a week or 180 sq ft · roller shutter · £78 a week
Layout: Moulding and board stored upright in wall racks, a cutting bench and an assembly bench, finished frames wrapped and stacked by the door.
Good to know: Store glass upright in a rack, never flat on the floor.

Small-scale woodworking

Hand tools and benchtop machines for chopping boards, boxes, frames, signs and turned items. Wood is a low-risk material and fine to store and work.

Best unit: 180 sq ft · roller shutter · £78 a week or 300 sq ft · two storeys with upstairs office · £130 a week
Layout: A sturdy workbench, timber stored on a wall rack, benchtop machines on mobile stands, a dust extractor or vacuum.
Good to know: Keep sawdust under control with a vacuum or extractor and clear offcuts daily. Ask us before using solvent-based finishes in quantity.

Jewellery bench

Stone setting, engraving, wire work, polishing and repairs at a jeweller's bench, with secure storage for tools and stock. The security-door unit suits valuable work.

Best unit: 160 sq ft · security door · £69 a week
Layout: Jeweller's bench with task lighting, a polishing area kept separate, a lockable cabinet for metals and stones.
Good to know: Ask us before using an open-flame torch or a casting kiln, because these need our approval.

Vinyl signs and decals

A vinyl plotter, weeding table and laminator for shop signs, vehicle graphics, wall art and decals for local businesses.

Best unit: 150 sq ft · roller shutter · £65 a week or 180 sq ft · roller shutter · £78 a week
Layout: Plotter and computer on one bench, a long weeding and application table, vinyl rolls on a wall rack.
Good to know: Vinyl sheet is fine to store and cut. There is no melting involved in plotting and weeding.

Paper goods and stationery

Designing, printing, cutting and packing greeting cards, wedding invitations, notebooks and prints.

Best unit: 150 sq ft · roller shutter · £65 a week or 160 sq ft · security door · £69 a week
Layout: Printer and guillotine on a bench, paper stock in flat drawers or boxes, a packing area for orders.
Good to know: Paper and card are low-risk stock. Keep them in closed boxes off the floor.

Product photography studio

A backdrop, lights and a table for shooting product photos and videos for online shops, including your own or other local businesses.

Best unit: 150 sq ft · roller shutter · £65 a week or 180 sq ft · roller shutter · £78 a week
Layout: Backdrop on the short wall, lights on stands, a props shelf, a desk for editing on the Wi-Fi.
Good to know: The windowless ground floor gives you full control of the light.

Podcast and voiceover booth

A quiet room for recording podcasts, voiceovers and interviews, with acoustic panels, microphones and a desk.

Best unit: 160 sq ft · security door · £69 a week
Layout: Acoustic panels on the walls, a recording desk away from the door, chairs for guests.
Good to know: Ask us before fixing anything to the walls.

Why our units suit makers & creative studios

Wood, paper, card, canvas and metal hand-work are low-risk materials, so most dry making and creative work suits our units.
The ground floors are windowless, which helps for photography and video, where you want to control the light yourself.
You can leave your studio set up between sessions and lock up, instead of packing everything away at home.
Lighting, standard single-phase electricity and Wi-Fi are already connected in every unit (there is no three-phase power), with 24-hour access, free CCTV app access covering the entrance and the area outside the units, and shared facilities.

Not allowed in our units

Nothing that melts or heats combustible materials such as waxes, plastics, resins or oils, no flammable liquids or gases in bulk, and no car storage. Low-risk materials such as wood, paper, card, fabric and dry goods are fine. Every business use needs our approval first.

Start-up checklist

Decide which unit suits your stock, machines and how you will load and unload.
Message us with what your business does, so we can approve the use before you commit.
Register your business with HMRC as a sole trader or limited company if you have not already.
Speak to an insurance broker about public liability, contents and stock cover, and employers' liability if you have staff.
Ask us whether business rates apply, and check Small Business Rate Relief on GOV.UK.
Plan your layout: shelving up the walls, benches near sockets, and a clear route to the door.
Arrange one month's rent, the deposit, photo ID and a Direct Debit mandate for move-in day.

Questions

Can I use power tools in the unit?

Hand tools and benchtop power tools are generally fine for dry materials such as wood, metal and card. Tell us what you plan to use when you enquire, because all business use needs our approval.

Is the unit suitable for photography?

The ground floors are windowless, which makes it easier to control the light for product photography and video. The 300 sq ft unit also has an upstairs room with a window.

Can I hold classes or workshops?

Tenants can receive clients at the unit. If you plan to run classes, tell us how many people you expect so we can check it suits the space.

What is included in the rent?

Lighting, electricity and Wi-Fi are already connected in every unit. Electricity usage is charged separately at the supplier rate, with no markup. Tenants get 24-hour access, free CCTV app access covering the entrance and the area outside the units, and shared facilities: a tea and coffee room, toilets and water.

Can I use the address on my Google Business Profile?

Yes. Tenants can use The Old Rock Factory, Keswick Road, Blackpool FY1 5PB as their business address on Google, so customers can find you without you putting your home address online.

Is there three-phase power?

No. Every unit has standard single-phase electricity, the same as a normal plug socket. Choose machines and tools that run on single-phase power.

What can't I do in a unit?

We do not allow anything that melts or heats combustible materials such as waxes, plastics, resins or oils, flammable liquids or gases in bulk, or car storage. Low-risk materials such as wood, paper, card, fabric and dry goods are fine. Every business use needs our approval.

Prices are subject to availability. Minimum rental term: one month, then one month’s notice to leave. Swap to a bigger or smaller unit any time, subject to availability. Electricity usage is charged separately at the supplier rate, with no markup. This guide is general information, not legal, insurance or tax advice.

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